Your life may be boring right now, but your TV shows don't have to be. Netflix has tons of foreign thriller series [1] available to stream, and there's no better time to give them a try. As Parasite director Bong Joon-ho so wisely said during his acceptance speech at the 2020 Oscars after he won for best picture [2]: "Once you overcome the one-inch barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films," and of course, this applies to foreign TV shows [3] as well. Whether you're into psychological thrillers, gritty mysteries, or crime dramas, here are 17 foreign thriller series you should add to your must-watch list.
3%
Set in the distant future, this Brazilian dystopian series revolves around two communities: the impoverished Inland, and the three percent of the population who are lucky enough to live in a virtual paradise known as the Offshore. Michele Santana may be new to the Offshore and have no family of her own, but her strong sense of justice compels her to make the Inland a better place with its own selection process — even if that means resisting The Process, which can only spell trouble.
Watch 3% on Netflix [5].
The Break
In this French-language Belgian crime drama, a police detective named Yoann Peeters moves back to his hometown after suffering through a horrible loss, only to find himself drawn into a dark new case. While everyone believes the victim to have committed suicide, Peeters believes that only he can see the death for what it really is: murder.
Watch The Break on Netflix [6].
The Rain
In this Danish post-apocalyptic series, two siblings, Simone and Rasmus, navigate the world alongside a ragtag team of survivors five years after a virus spread by rainfall wipes out almost all of Scandinavia. The show is perfect for fans of The Walking Dead [7], and the show has already been renewed for its third (but, unfortunately) final season [8].
Watch The Rain on Netflix [9].
Ingobernable
What happens when the First Lady of Mexico, a woman of honour and ideals, starts to lose faith in her president husband? That's exactly what happens in this Spanish-language crime drama, which follows Emilia Urquiza as she attempts to improve the conditions of her country and uncover some dark truths — even if that means going behind her husband's back to do it.
Watch Ingobernable on Netflix [10].
Kingdom
Set in Korea's medieval Joseon period, this South Korean drama follows a crown prince who is forced out to investigate a mysterious plague that's spreading across his country, making the infected immune to death and hungry for the taste of flesh. It sounds weird, but true us — it's cool.
Watch Kingdom on Netflix [11].
El Marginal
In this Argentine crime drama, an ex-cop is sent by a judge to infiltrate the dangerous San Onofre prison, hoping to get information on the gang responsible for the judge's daughter's kidnapping. Of course, in the prison Miguel finds himself surrounded by the country's most dangerous felons, and he must hide his true identity — or risk losing his life.
Watch El Marginal on Netflix [12].
Bordertown
This Scandinavian mystery series revolves around legendary detective Kari Sorjonen, who moves to his family to a town near the border of Russia after his wife miraculously survives a battle with brain cancer. Though he hopes to spend more time with his family there, he and his new partner Lena Jaakkola find themselves faced with some incredibly dark murder cases instead.
Watch Bordertown on Netflix [13].
Delhi Crime
Inspired by the notorious December 2012 investigation by the Delhi Police into the horrific gang rape of a young woman, this Indian drama follows a female investigator and the challenges she faces while attempting to bring the perpetrators to justice. This one definitely isn't easy to watch, but we promise it's worth it.
Watch Delhi Crime on Netflix [14].
Suburra
Inspired by a real-life political scandal, this Italian crime drama (which serves as a prequel to the 2015 film and the novel of the same name by Giancarlo De Cataldo and Carlo Bonini) follows a battle between organised crime, corrupt politicians, and the Vatican over Rome's underground crime scene. It seems too wild to be real, but you just have to see it to believe it.
Watch Suburra on Netflix [15].
Bard of Blood
Based on the 2015 espionage novel of the same name by Bilal Siddiqui, this Indian spy thriller revolves around an excommunicated RAW agent who must face his demons and return to Balochistan after he is recruited to rescue four captured RAW agents on a covert mission. If you want a series that's going to keep you on the edge of your seat, then this thriller is for you.
Watch Bard of Blood on Netflix [16].
Omniscient
This eerie Brazilian series is set in the near future, revolving around a society under constant Big-Brother-like surveillance. Despite the Omniscient system's drones, a murder is somehow committed without the killer being monitored, and the deceased's father — a tech trainee named Nina — decides to risk everything in order to figure out how the murderer got away.
Watch Omniscient on Netflix [17].
Ragnarok
Inspired by Norse mythology, this Norwegian coming-of-age series takes place in a fictitious town of Edda following the bizarre weather patterns caused by global warming, which seems to be headed for another Ragnarok. As the town faces the threat of pollution and melting glaciers, it becomes clear that only a teenager gifted with the embodiment of Thor can save the people of Edda.
Watch Ragnarok on Netflix [18].
Puerta 7
Created by Martin Zimmerman, who also created Ozark and Narcos, this Argentinian thriller revolves around the attempts of a woman to expose and dissolve the organised crime that exists within an Argentine football club. You don't have to be a football fan to appreciate this gritty drama.
Watch Puerta 7 on Netflix [19].
Queen Sono
Netflix's first original South African espionage drama stars Quantico's Pearl Thusi as the titular Queen Sono, a kickass female field operative still reeling from the mysterious death of her mother, who was an anti-apartheid revolutionary leader and freedom fighter. Queen proves that you can take on terrorism and look hot while doing it (even while battling your own inner demons).
Watch Queen Sono on Netflix [20].
The Valhalla Murders
Netflix's first Icelandic series tells the story of an Oslo detective with a dark past, who must return to his native Iceland to help an ambitious Icelandic detective investigate a series of murders. The longer these two investigate the case, the more likely it seems that these crimes were committed by the same person.
Watch The Valhalla Murders on Netflix [21].